LONDON: As the weekend approaches, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the travel plans of holidaymakers and festival enthusiasts, thanks to the looming threat of the latest train strikes.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is gearing up for a strike today (Saturday), and it’s estimated that around 20,000 workers will participate. The crux of the dispute revolves around issues of pay and working conditions, putting 14 major train operating companies directly in the crosshairs of disruption.
This strike is poised to send ripples of inconvenience across the United Kingdom. From leisure travellers seeking a well-deserved break to individuals making their way to notable events like London’s vibrant Notting Hill carnival, the electric Reading and Leeds music festivals, and various sporting occasions, a broad spectrum of plans could be derailed.
The impact of these strikes, however, is not limited to the rails. The aviation sector is also feeling the pinch. In a preemptive response, both British Airways and easyJet had to cancel flights to and from key airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, on Friday. British Airways cited adverse weather conditions as the cause behind the cancellation of 50 flights, encompassing routes connecting domestic and European destinations including Rome and Copenhagen. Meanwhile, easyJet was compelled to cancel 10 flights connecting Gatwick and cities like Edinburgh, Faro, Milan, Nantes, and Valencia, leading to unexpected overnight stays for many stranded passengers.
A spokesperson for British Airways expressed, “Like other airlines, due to adverse weather conditions experienced in the London area and across Europe, we’ve made some minor adjustments to our short-haul schedule. We’ve contacted affected customers to apologize and offer them rebooking options or a full refund.
Road travel isn’t spared from the impending disruptions either. The RAC has raised concerns about the anticipated travel surge, with a staggering 14 million drivers planning leisure trips for the upcoming weekend – a notable 2 million increase compared to the previous year. Of particular concern is Saturday, projected to be the busiest day on the roads. Congestion is expected along popular routes to destinations like Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and the West Country.
Simon Williams, the spokesperson for the RAC’s breakdown service, advised travellers to either embark on their journeys very early to beat the impending traffic or consider travelling later in the day. Williams noted, “And if the weather is kind, even more people may decide to take trips, swelling numbers on the road further still and possibly adding to the inevitable delays.”
According to traffic data firm Inrix, the M5 southbound between junctions 15 and 23 is likely to experience the most severe delays around midday on Saturday as travellers head southwest. Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at Inrix, emphasized, we expect this bank holiday weekend to be very busy on major roads, with Friday and Saturday seeing the longest delays compared to normal. While the most significant delays over the three days are going to be on the M25 and M1, routes to the west will inevitably be badly affected too.
While the travel landscape faces potential disruptions, meteorological predictions offer a glimmer of hope. The UK is forecasted to experience a mix of sunshine and showers. The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, Steven Keates, outlined that despite intermittent showers, drier intervals are anticipated, particularly in the south where there might even be some sunny spells.
Keates noted, “Areas to the south-east will see fewer showers, with more in the way of bright or sunny spells on Saturday and Sunday, though temperatures are likely to remain around average for the time of year.”
Looking ahead, the coming weeks bring the possibility of further disruptions. The Aslef union plans to strike on September 1, with the RMT union also scheduling a strike for September 2. These industrial actions could cause disruption for individuals returning from holidays abroad, amplifying the challenges of post-vacation travel.
